Image forming apparatus and paper feed system

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a paper feed device and an image forming apparatus main body including a paper feed cassette removable from the image forming apparatus main body and including an image forming unit. The paper feed cassette stores a recording material, and the image forming unit forms an image on the recording material. The paper feed device allows the image forming apparatus main body to be stacked on the paper feed device below the paper feed cassette. The paper feed device is provided with a coupling section. In a space formed in a case where the paper feed cassette is removed from the image forming apparatus main body, the coupling section is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body by a fixing unit to couple the image forming apparatus main body and the paper feed device together.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
 an image forming apparatus main body including a paper feed cassette, configured to be removable from the image forming apparatus main body and to store paper, and including an image forming unit configured to form an image on the paper; and 
 a paper feed device configured to store the paper below the paper feed cassette and provided with a coupling section, 
 wherein, in a space formed in a case where the paper feed cassette is removed from the image forming apparatus main body, the coupling section is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body by a fixing unit to couple the image forming apparatus main body and the paper feed device together, and 
 wherein the fixing unit includes a screw. 
 
     
     
       2. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling section is provided above the paper feed device. 
     
     
       3. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the paper feed device is provided with a plurality of positioning units configured to engage with a frame of the image forming apparatus main body, and 
 wherein the coupling section is arranged between the plurality of positioning units. 
 
     
     
       4. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a frame of the image forming apparatus main body is located on one side of the coupling section either inside the image forming apparatus or outside the image forming apparatus, and 
 wherein the coupling section has a shape extending toward the one side of the coupling section as approaching the image forming apparatus. 
 
     
     
       5. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling section is removable from the paper feed device. 
     
     
       6. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the coupling section includes a first portion fixed to the image forming apparatus main body and a second portion fixed to the paper feed device, and 
 wherein the first portion and the second portion are connected to each other via a bent portion. 
 
     
     
       7. A paper feed system comprising:
 a first paper feed device having a first paper feed cassette configured to be removable from the first paper feed device and configured to store paper, wherein the first paper feed device is configured to allow an image forming apparatus main body to be stacked on the first paper feed device, and wherein the image forming apparatus main body includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on the paper; and 
 a second paper feed device configured to allow the first paper feed device, on which the image forming apparatus main body has been stacked, to be stacked on the second paper feed device, wherein the second paper feed device includes a second paper feed cassette configured to be removable from the second paper feed device and to store the paper, 
 wherein the second paper feed device is provided with a coupling section, 
 wherein, in a space formed in a case where the first paper feed cassette is removed from the first paper feed device, the coupling section is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body by a fixing unit to couple the first paper feed device and the second paper feed device together, and 
 wherein the fixing unit includes a screw. 
 
     
     
       8. The paper feed system according to  claim 7 , wherein the coupling section is provided above the second paper feed device. 
     
     
       9. The paper feed system according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein the second paper feed device is provided with a plurality of positioning units configured to engage with a frame of the first paper feed device, and 
 wherein the coupling section is arranged between the plurality of positioning units. 
 
     
     
       10. The paper feed system according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein a frame of the first paper feed device is located on one side of the coupling section either inside the first paper feed device or outside the first paper feed device, and 
 wherein the coupling section has a shape extending toward the one side of the coupling section as approaching the first paper feed device. 
 
     
     
       11. The paper feed system according to  claim 7 , wherein the coupling section is removable from the second paper feed device. 
     
     
       12. The paper feed system according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein the coupling section includes a first portion fixed to the first paper feed device and a second portion fixed to the second paper feed device, and 
 wherein the first portion and the second portion are connected to each other via a bent portion. 
 
     
     
       13. An image forming apparatus comprising:
 an image forming apparatus main body including a cassette, configured to be removable from the image forming apparatus main body and to store paper, and including an image forming unit configured to form an image on the paper; 
 a feeding device located below the cassette and configured to store the paper and supply the paper to the image forming unit; 
 a coupling section configured to couple the image forming apparatus main body and the feeding device; and 
 a fixing member configured to fix the coupling section to the image forming apparatus, 
 wherein the fixing member is removable from the image forming apparatus main body using a space formed by removing the cassette. 
 
     
     
       14. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein the feeding device is provided with a plurality of positioning units configured to engage with a frame of the image forming apparatus main body, and 
 wherein the coupling section is arranged between the plurality of positioning units. 
 
     
     
       15. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein a frame of the image forming apparatus main body is located on one side of the coupling section either inside the image forming apparatus or outside the image forming apparatus, and 
 wherein the coupling section has a shape extending toward the one side of the coupling section as approaching the image forming apparatus. 
 
     
     
       16. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein the coupling section includes a first portion fixed to the image forming apparatus main body and a second portion fixed to the feeding device, and 
 wherein the first portion and the second portion are connected to each other via a bent portion. 
 
     
     
       17. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the fixing member is a screw. 
     
     
       18. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the screw is removable from the image forming apparatus in a direction parallel to a direction of detachment of the cassette.